Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

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After the blockbuster and critically acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011, everybody expected a sequel and the studio didn’t disappoint with, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. It has been ten years since the Simian Flu wiped out most of the humans on earth and the city of San Francisco is all but grown over by vegetation. In an armory in San Francisco, a group of humans led by an ex-military man named Dreyfus (Gary Oldman) are collecting weapons and making plans to somehow find a way to have the electricity turned on. An architect named Malcolm (Jason Clarke) and his girlfriend Ellie (Keri Russell) plan to head for the woods north of San Francisco to fix the dam that makes electricity for the city. As the group enters the woods they are surprised to meet a band of genetically evolved apes that have schools for their young, ride horses, and even speak English. (Amazingly, they can speak any language of the country this film is shown in.) The apes are led by a wise, compassionate ape named Caesar (Andy Serkis) who gives the humans a free pass to the dam. Unfortunately, a conflict ensues and a hotheaded ape named Coba (Toby Kebbell) takes control over the ape population and they attack the humans. This film has everything you want in a sci-fi thriller. It has an intelligent script that has both violent and heartbreaking scenes. It also has a great sound track and outstanding performances – especially by Andy Serkis. (No, I’m not saying the monkeys were better then the people.) Director Matt Reeves realizes that conflict is what will drive this film. He uses conflict between man and man, between ape and ape and between man and ape to build the tension. It’s hard to believe this movie is a half hour longer than it’s predecessor, but the time just swings by at a little over two hours. This movie has the perfect blend of drama and action with neither over powering the other. I can’t find anything wrong with this film and I’m giving it an A rating.

This movie has been given a PG13 rating by the MPAA